Gabrielle Baleri of Academy Sports and Outdoors fits one of 30 children with a helmet to go with their new bike.PHOTO:Luke Resser

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Academy Sports Gives 30 Bikes to Boys and Girls

By Luke Resser

PADUCAH - Academy Sports and Outdoors donated 30 bikes and helmets to children at the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club on Friday.

The donation was a part of Academy's 17th annual bike donation program.

The store brought 30 identical bikes to the club on Park Avenue. Paducah police and club leadership surprised each child with a new bike. The children then rode their new bikes throughout the building's gymnasium.

Gabrielle Baleri, a manager at Academy, said, "Academy likes to give back to the community and partner, so this is our second year for Paducah Academy to give away 30 bikes and 30 helmets, and they partnered with our corporate team and chose the Boys and Girls Club."

The program will benefit over 5,500 children across 16 states throughout the holiday season.